I wrote the article about Frank Herbert's Dune as a response to a challenge to the Squidoo Book Club. After that site closed down, I took on the massive task of moving it to the Crossroads. The book has had a profound affect on the way I view the world. The words “the sleeper must awaken” mean ever more to me after many years of spiritual seeking.

It is a lengthy article, and I realize that many won't stick around to read the whole thing. That is okay. I know a few will be attracted to the message and find some nuggets of inspiration from it. If you are one of those few, thank you for sticking with it. Writing is a lonely profession so I love when readers leave comments. For some odd reason, this platform does not provide a comment box for pages like that. I started this blog so that visitors would have a venue to express their ideas or just say hi. Please feel free to tell me what you think. Are you a fan of Dune? Do you like the movie or book better? What do you think about the concept of spiritual awakening? All opinions are valued, please be polite and considerate. Shortcut to “The Sleeper Must Awaken”

I know it may be hard to believe, but I was in my late 40's when I first heard the name Ritchie Blackmore. No, I had not been living under a rock for all those years. It is just that my musical tastes were focused more on the Beatles, the Carpenters, Moody Blues, and Carole King. I really was not a fan of hard rock musicians like Deep Purple. But when my husband noticed that a group called Blackmore's Night would be performing in San Diego, he became very excited. Ritchie Blackmore had formed the renaissance group along with his partner, Candice Night. I had to admit that I had no idea who he was talking about. Thus began a journey of discovery, first Deep Purple, then Rainbow. I discovered I really liked them. I also became a true Blackmore's Night fan. I wrote the article, “Who Is Ritchie Blackmore?” I Asked, to describe this incredible discovery as well as to introduce this group of musicians who display such incredible talent.So hop on over to the article and listen to some of their music. Then hop back over here to let me know what you think. Please? Do I have to beg? Shortcut to “Who Is Ritchie Blackmore?” I Asked.

I wrote the article entitled “Joulupukki and Tonttu - Finnish Santa and Elves,” to promote items made by my husband using vintage greeting card. He makes most of our products in our Zazzle Store. It was amazing to me that I had grown up surrounded by people of Finnish descent, yet I had never heard the stories of Joulupukki and tonttu. I did a lot of research to discover the origins of the story. I was fascinated with the history of the Yule Goat and how it became Santa Claus. I don't claim it as a scholarly writing. It is just my humble attempt to connect the dots related to Finnish mythology and legends. I hope you enjoy the story. Feel free to leave a comment here after you have read it. Shortcut to Joulupukki and Tonttu – Finnish Santa and Elves

"The mind can weave itself warmly in the cocoon of its own thoughts, and dwell a hermit anywhere." James Russell Lowell

My article entitled How and When I Became a Hermit actually floated into my mind while I was taking a shower in an RV park where we were staying. I was musing on the fact that even the simple process of taking a shower had become an ordeal for me. I had, indeed, became a recluse.

The article is autobiographical and spans many decades, from almost failing shorthand class in high school because of shaking hands, how I became a social worker even though I was scared to talk to people, learning that I had a serious form of PMS, and discovering that many people are introverts and need not try to be anything else.

This was a hard story to write, for it opens the door to my soul, exposing the real me to the world. I wrote it because it was a story that wanted to be let out. I have received comments from many people who said they could relate to what I had written. I will be happy if my words can lead even one person to accept and understand their own journey of life a little better.

Author

I am a storyteller. I like to wrap inspirational messages inside little vignettes of my life or the lives of others. I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and am now living full time in an RV. Everything I've experienced in my 65 years in this incarnation is fair game to be written about.

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